Bilingual English-French School in Beirut
From Montessori-based Early Years through primary school, we help your child build language skills through learning experiences that connect with their everyday life.
A French-English Bilingual School in Beirut
Perhaps French is the language your child hears at home. Perhaps English comes more naturally, and you would like French to become part of their education too. Choosing a school means considering where your child feels comfortable now and what you hope they will be able to do as they grow.
We offer English and French sections within the IB Primary Years Program (PYP). Both follow the same educational framework, with a different main language of instruction. In our French section, French is the main language of instruction throughout the IB Primary Years Program, while children also learn English and Arabic. Families can also choose our English section, where English is the main teaching language and French and Arabic are introduced as additional languages. This allows parents to choose the learning environment that best suits their child's language background and educational goals.
For us, language learning has a practical purpose: asking a question, sharing an idea, understanding a story or joining a conversation. Located on Sami Solh Street in Mansourieh el Metn, Eastwood International School welcomes families exploring French-English bilingual education in the Beirut area. Our English and French IB Primary Years sections help parents choose a language pathway that suits their child's educational needs.
Explore English and French Learning at Eastwood
How English and French Fit Into the School Day
The starting point is your child's section: English or French. In Early Years, children in the English section are introduced to French and Arabic; children in the French section are introduced to English and Arabic. Songs, conversations and movement-based activities bring these languages into experiences they can understand and enjoy.
A French IB Pathway, Not Just French Lessons
Our IB-PYP French section uses French as the main language of learning throughout the primary program. Children explore questions and make connections across subjects in French, with English and Arabic also part of their education. For families who want French to have a central place in school life, this distinction matters. Explore our IB-PYP French section.
A Playful Start in Early Years
Nursery, KG1 and KG2 are where this journey begins. We combine Montessori-based learning with the IB-PYP, giving children opportunities to explore materials, listen to stories, play with classmates and talk about what they notice. Teachers guide these experiences while encouraging independence and curiosity. Learn more about our Early Years program and its English and French sections.Language Learning With Something to Say
Knowing a word is one thing. Feeling ready to use it is another. We want children to see language as a way to share what matters to them, not simply something to get right in a lesson. Through our inquiry-led approach, we encourage them to ask questions, listen to other perspectives and explain their thinking. These are the everyday skills we want their language learning to serve.
H3: Looking Ahead to the Next Stage
Our wider IB journey includes the Primary Years, Middle Years and Diploma Programs. After primary school, students can explore our IB Middle Years Programme (MYP), including the French-language Programme d'Éducation Intermédiaire (PEI). Because language options vary by stage, our admissions team can explain the available PEI classes, progression requirements and later secondary-school pathways.
Our programs
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IB-PYP Early Years (English/French)
A Montessori-based program for a solid foundation, our IB-PYP Early Years program, offered fully in English or French, includes yoga, mindfulness, music+movement, performing arts, language immersions, science, STEM-based activities and much more…
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IB-PYP Primary Years (English/French)
The IB-PYP (offered in English or French) encourages self-directed learning, based on student interests, in collaboration with the teacher. We recognize that each child comes with a unique set of hopes, dreams, passions, backgrounds, talents, needs, knowledge, and experiences.
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IB-PYP French Section (Section Française)
EIS propose le Programme Primaire (PP) en français en raison de l’importance qu’occupe la langue française dans l’histoire, la culture et les affaires contemporaines du Liban.
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IB-MYP Program (English)
Our IB-MYP curriculum is concept-based, which is an approach to curriculum design that moves away from subject-specific content and instead emphasizes on key concepts which are “big ideas” that can transfer across multiple subjects.
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IB-DP Program (English)
The IB Diploma Program (IB-DP) is a world-recognized high school diploma option for those seeking the ‘best of the best’ when it comes to academic opportunities. The IB-DP is a rigorous high school program held to international standards - not those set by our school or by Lebanese ministries.
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American High School
EIS offers an American High School Diploma for students with international passports. Our American school curriculum starts as early as the middle school years, leading into high school graduation. Students eligible to enroll in an American school in Lebanon possess the legal exemption from advanced studies in Arabic by the Leb. government.
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Lebanese Program
The Lebanese Program is one of the three programs offered by EIS. Lebanese students at EIS are first introduced to the LB Program through Social Studies and Math instruction in grade 8; then the full LB Program is implemented grades 9 through 12.
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Design + Tech
The aim of the Design and Technology program at EIS is to help students develop the four Cs of the 21st century: critical thinking, communication, collaboration, and creativity. Mastering these competences would provide students with a robust foundation to conquer an ever-changing world.
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Mindfulness Program
To ensure we provide children with the time and the skills to manage themselves and their environments and find balance, EIS has made mindfulness courses a part of its program for all students, starting in Nursery through to Grade 12.
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Duke of Edinburgh’s Intl Award
At Eastwood International School in Lebanon, students are provided the unique opportunity to participate in The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Awards program.
The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award is a systematized program for completing personal development milestones, in a documented way, with oversight. It teaches youth to pick an achievable goal, work towards it, stick to it, and see it through until the end. That act in itself says a lot; it requires a strong mindset to not give up, and to do what you say you’re going to do - even to yourself.
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After-School Programs
Our after-school activity program is rich with unique activities, including Leadership, Mindfulness, Robotics, Photography, Theater…and even a Study Clinic in which our learners can pair up with teachers and their friends for extra academic support. Christmas Painting Events, Wellness Day, Cookie Decorations, Clay Night, and so much more are also part of the parent-child activities.
Not to mention international celebrations, such as International Day of Tolerance, Culture Day, EIS Tours the World, and so much more. This is all in efforts to reinforce the sense of community in our school. -
Friends of Eastwood School Foundation
We are a community of friends that is adamant on making a striking, positive difference and impact in the lives of those who are directly and indirectly in contact with children, of various age groups, backgrounds, and statuses.
We are friends of and experts in the field of education. We have a track record in instigating positive change where it is needed most and under different, challenging circumstances.An exempt organization as described in Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code; EIN 87-3263117
One IB School,
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Let's Find the Right Language Pathway for Your Child
Tell us which languages your child uses, what they enjoy about learning and what you are hoping for next. We can help you explore our English and French sections, understand the relevant program and plan your next step. Start with a conversation, arrange a visit or begin your child's application when you feel ready.
Frequently Asked Questions About Bilingual Schooling in Beirut
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Start with the languages your child uses comfortably, their previous schooling and your family's longer-term plans. We can talk through those details with you and explain the relevant section. Choosing the main language of learning is different from choosing which additional languages your child will encounter.
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Please discuss your child's language background with our admissions team before choosing a section. Early Years applicants have an interview, while students entering Grades 1 to 12 take an evaluation test. Our team can explain the language expectations for your child's age and intended section, and answer questions about moving from another school.
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Children can join Nursery if they turn 3 by September 30 and are fully toilet trained. KG1 is for children who turn 4 by September 30, and KG2 is for children who turn 5 by that date. These age requirements apply to both English and French Early Years sections.
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Yes. In Early Years, Arabic is introduced in both sections alongside the additional language: French for children in the English section, and English for children in the French section. Language learning includes songs, conversation and activities. Ask us about the Arabic requirements for your child's grade and program.
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Yes. At Eastwood International School, families can choose an English or French section for the IB Primary Years Program. The chosen section provides the main language of instruction, while children also learn additional languages. Our admissions team can explain how each language is taught at your child's stage.
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Yes. We offer the PEI, the French-language version of the IB Middle Years Program. Speak with our admissions team about the French-language classes available for your child's grade and how the pathway develops into later school years.
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Yes. Contact our admissions team to arrange a visit to our Mansourieh el Metn campus in the Beirut area. Bring your questions about classroom language, your child's previous learning and the next stage of school. You can also review our admissions process or begin an application when you are ready.